Latest Insurance News

No-Fault Injury Coverage Provision Set to Expire Oct. 1

By Kathy Bushouse, South Florida Sun-Sentinel Mar. 27--The clock is ticking on Florida's no-fault automobile insurance law, with the requirement that all the state's drivers carry mandatory personal injury coverage set to expire Oct. 1. Whether Floridians still will have to carry personal injury protection, or no-fault coverage, will depend on the Legislature, which this week will consider several proposals designed to revise the law and keep it in place, rather than have it disappear lat...

Panel: State Shouldn't Set All Auto Rates

By Bruce Mohl, The Boston Globe Mar. 27--A study group appointed by Governor Deval Patrick is recommending few major changes in the state's auto insurance system, although the seven-member panel says the state's auto insurers should be given flexibility to partially set at least some of their own rates. The study group's report, dated March 15 but scheduled for release today, urges the insurance commissioner to explore moving toward a system that would allow insurers to set their own rate...

Lawyers Can Help Navigate Personal Injury Claims

Question: I tripped on some steep concrete steps, and badly injured my knee. One of the store owners told me others have had problems with those steps before. The property owner's insurance company called me. I want at least my medical bills and lost wages paid. Two questions: Am I better off hiring a lawyer rather than doing this myself, and what has to be proven to have a case? -- C.B., El Segundo Answer: There are some who will insist "never do it yourself!" They worry about what the...

No-Fault Law's Fate a Source of Hospital Anxiety Hospitals Fear the Costs of Providing Free Care to the Uninsured; Insurers Celebrate the Law's October Sunset.

By URVAKSH KARKARIA The prospect of an auto insurance law fading into history is triggering financial heartache among Florida hospitals. The hospitals rely on mandatory medical coverage provided by auto insurers to help pay for care provided to accident victims, especially those without health insurance. The Florida No-Fault law, scheduled to expire in October, requires drivers to purchase Personal Injury Protection, which pays up to a maximum of $10,000, regardless of fault, for injuri...

Million Motorists Teeter on the Brink

More than a million motorists are now just one conviction from losing licences. As many as 16 per cent have penalty points for speeding, research from car insurance company Direct Line found. Of these, 21 per cent are one conviction from disqualification - up from 17 per cent last year. This means the number of drivers on the brink has risen by more than 215,000 in 12 months. The worst hit area is north east England (20 per cent), while only eight per cent of motorists in the south we...

News Briefs: Points Penalty

MORE than a million motorists are now just one conviction away from losing their driving licences, it was revealed today. As many as 16% of drivers currently have penalty points on their licences for speeding, research from car insurance company Direct Line found. (c) 2007 Liverpool Echo. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.

Editorial ; Gov Should Drive Real Auto Reform

Say what you will about Gov. Mitt Romney, but when it came to reforming the state's dysfunctional auto insurance system his administration tried everything to get the state in gear. Unfortunately, it looks like the Patrick administration may just idle in neutral. A group appointed by Gov. Deval Patrick to study the state's auto insurance system, which has lost dozens of carriers over the past 15 years, has recommended no groundbreaking changes in the way rates are set or high risk drivers...

No-Fault Law's Fate a Source of Hospital Anxiety

By Urvaksh Karkaria, The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville Mar. 25--The prospect of an auto insurance law fading into history is triggering financial heartache among Florida hospitals. The hospitals rely on mandatory medical coverage provided by auto insurers to help pay for care provided to accident victims, especially those without health insurance. The Florida No-Fault law, scheduled to expire in October, requires drivers to purchase Personal Injury Protection, which pays up to a max...

Lawmakers Split on Caveman Insurance Rights

By Anonymous A caveman may or may not be smart enough to apply for Geico auto insurance, but if he wants the chance to buy a policy it would help to have a college degree. Some folks in Trenton are pushing legislation to prevent that from mattering, but a bill mandating changes in auto insurance underwriting has hit the wall. No help so far for Ceico's cavemen. The state Senate Commerce Committee met last week to consider S- 1714, a bill that would prohibit using education and occupatio...

Return of the Insurance Broker ; Websites Are No Good at Finding Specialist Policies. Try the Old Route, Says David Prosser

By David Prosser Remember insurance brokers, that mysterious breed of financial adviser who used to maintain offices on every high street? New technology and the modernisation of the financial services industry were supposed to spell the end for these middlemen, whose job it was to search the market for the best deals on insurance. Brokers, however, are making a comeback, particularly in the motor insurance market. The launch of insurers that deal direct with the public - the approach pio...